Following Buffalo mass shooting incident, a similar event happened at Laguna Woods Church in California. In Orange County, some people stopped a mass shooter while they were headed toward the church. He had opened fire on a luncheon. People stopped the shooter with an extension cord until authorities could arrive.
The California church shooting left one dead while five people were injured. Out of those five, four were in critical condition, while one made it alive with minor injuries. The shooting incident happened at a church in the Laguna Woods area of Orange County, as told by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
The OC Sheriff said that the five Geneva Presbyterian church shooting victims were taken to a nearby hospital in California. Those who were treated for gunshot wounds were 66, 75, 82, 86, and 92 years old.
After the shooting incident, one woman arrived at the church. She asked about her 92-years-old father and mother. Authorities confirmed to her that her father was admitted to the hospital after a bullet grazed his stomach. However, no information on her mother was provided to her at that moment.
We are working to get information out as quickly as possible. We ask for patience as this event unfolds.
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSheriff) May 15, 2022
In a statement, the medical center confirmed that two victims were rushed to Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, California, after 2 pm PST. They suffered trauma associated with gunshots.
The OCSD said people had already detained the church mass shooter when the authorities arrived at Laguna Woods church on Sunday, May 15, 2022.
The hospital hasn’t released any information on the conditions of the victims. As the investigation is in process, they refer all questions to OCSD. The Providence Mission Hospital’s Trauma Center is the only Level II trauma facility available in South Orange County.
One victim was admitted to UC Irvine Medical Center, while two were transported to OC Global Medical Center. One of these three victims was the 92-year-old man whose daughter came to get information for the authorities.
When did the Laguna Woods Church shooting happen?
Reportedly, the shooting occurred at 1:26 pm at Geneva Presbyterian Church located at 24301 El Toro Road. People apprehended the shooter to the police. They had stopped him and hog-tied his legs. Then, they helped the injured ones. The cut-in aired on May 15.
Who is the Laguna Woods Church’s shooter?
California’s Laguna Woods church shooter is found to be in his 60s. His name and further information have not been released by the police yet.
Per sources, the California church shooter is of Asian descent. Police said that the investigation is in the early stages, and they are trying to discover if he targeted churchgoers of Asian descent.
Why did the shooter carry out Laguna Woods Church shooting in California?
Police haven’t been able to know the reason why the shooter planned the shooting at Laguna Woods church in California. There aren’t any other suspects per sources, and his motive hasn’t been determined yet. The handgun used for the shooting has been recovered, OSCD told The Reporter Times.
However, at a press conference that was conducted at 5 pm, the police spoke of recovering two guns that may have been used for the shooting. Both the guns had a serial number, so they are not ghost guns.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said around 30-40 people were present inside the church at the time. So, all of those witnesses will be interviewed. Authorities are still working to figure out the city of residence and identity of shooter and if he is a member of the congregation.
The Church’s members at the scene said the gathering was planned for a former paster at the Geneva Presbyterian Church. The Los Ranchos Presbytery confirmed the lunch in their statement.
“The Presbytery of Los Ranchos is deeply saddened by a fatal shooting that occurred at a lunch reception honoring a former pastor of the Taiwanese congregation that nests at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods,” the Presbytery of Los Ranchos, an Anaheim church, said in a statement to TheReporterTimes.
Besides the local police department, the federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives were present at the scene, according to the AP. Given the shooting, El Toro Road was closed between Calle Sonora and Canyon Wren.
Where is Laguna Woods in California?
In Orange County, there is a city named Laguna Woods. It is surrounded by Laguna Hills and Lake Forest and is located about 10 miles from the University of California Irvine.
The church is located diagonally opposite a shopping center in the neighborhood’s busy area. The residential area is also nearby.
Recently, a destructive 200-acre blaze destroyed 20 homes in the nearby community of Laguna Niguel. The Coastal Fire department had to come and contained 60% of the fire on Sunday.
After the shooting incident, Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, delivered a statement. Porter said many people got injuries in a shooting at a church in Laguna Woods. It happened just a day after a mass shooting in Buffalo. “It’s a piece of disturbing and upsetting news. It shouldn’t be our new normal. I will work in any possible way to investigate the case and support the victims and their families”, Porter said.
On Saturday, May 14, 2022, an 18-year-old named Payton Gendron opened fire in a Tops Friendly supermarket on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo, New York. At least 10 people were killed while three were injured.
A statement also came from California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office via a tweet.
We are actively monitoring the shooting at a church in Laguna Woods and working closely with local law enforcement.
No one should have to fear going to their place of worship. Our thoughts are with the victims, community, and all those impacted by this tragic event.
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) May 15, 2022